Merchant Marine of Switzerland: A Landlocked Nation's Maritime Presence

The Merchant Marine of Switzerland may seem like an oxymoron, given the country's landlocked status. However, Switzerland has a rich maritime history and a significant presence in the global shipping industry.

Switzerland's merchant marine fleet is made up of around 60 ships, with the majority being bulk carriers and container ships. These vessels are registered in the country's five maritime ports, including Basel, Geneva, and Zürich.

Despite its small size, Switzerland's merchant marine fleet plays a crucial role in the country's economy, with the industry generating around 10 billion Swiss francs in revenue each year.

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The Swiss merchant navy was founded in 1941 to supply Switzerland with basic goods during World War II.

The purpose of the Swiss merchant navy has remained the same since its inception, ensuring the country's supply of goods in times of crisis, as of 2016.

The first ships were purchased and operated by the government to ensure the supply of critical resources during World War II.

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A privately owned merchant fleet emerged after the war, spurred in part by government subsidies that paid for the fleet's operation up until 1953.

In 2006, 26 ships, mostly container carriers, operated by five shipping companies, flew the Swiss flag, totaling 479,624 tons.

These numbers only account for ships that are directly owned and operated by Swiss interests, and do not include the over 700 ships owned by American interests but registered in other countries.

The Swiss shipping industry has a rich history, with several notable shipping companies operating in the country. One of the most well-known companies is Mediterranean Shipping Company, which is listed among the shipping companies in Switzerland.

Today, the Swiss fleet numbers 14 cargo vessels, a significant decrease from the 50 cargo vessels it had six years ago. This decline has led the government to implement a new strategy to slow the disappearance of its navy.

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Some of the shipping companies operating in Switzerland include ABC Maritime AG, Enzian Shipping AG, Massoel Gestion SA, and others, as listed below:

Despite the decline in the number of Swiss seafarers, the country's ships have a history of bravery and service, such as rescuing the crew of a US military aircraft in 1962.

The Swiss shipping industry is a fascinating sector that plays a crucial role in the country's economy. Despite being landlocked, Switzerland has a significant merchant marine fleet.

Switzerland has a civilian high seas fleet of merchant vessels, with Basel being the home port on the Rhine. The government initially purchased and operated ships during World War II to ensure the supply of critical resources.

In 2006, 26 ships, mostly container carriers, operated by five shipping companies, flew the Swiss flag. These ships totaled 479,624 tons.

One of the key players in the Swiss shipping industry is the private sector, which emerged after the war, spurred by government subsidies that paid for the fleet's operation up until 1953.

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Here's a list of some of the notable shipping companies in Switzerland:

These companies are responsible for operating the ships that fly the Swiss flag and contribute to the country's merchant marine fleet.

The Swiss merchant fleet is a remarkable entity, comprising 49 ships that crisscross international waters. These ships are a testament to Switzerland's commitment to maintaining its own shipping industry.

The fleet includes a mix of bulk carriers, container ships, multi-purpose freighters, and tankers, with a total capacity of one million tons. This is impressive, considering Switzerland is a landlocked country.

The Swiss merchant fleet is one of the most modern in the world and the largest among landlocked countries. It's a remarkable achievement, especially considering the country's history.

The fleet operates worldwide, as needed, providing essential goods to Switzerland. This is crucial, given the country's economic dependence on shipping space.

The very first ship of the fleet was called Calanda and belonged to the Schweizerische Reederei AG, the former parent company of Panalpina. This marked the beginning of Switzerland's maritime merchant fleet.

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Today, the fleet is operated by six private shipping companies, all of which have their headquarters in Switzerland. This ensures the fleet remains under Swiss control.

The Swiss merchant fleet has a deadweight capacity of one million tons, corresponding to one pro mille of global tonnage. This is a significant contribution to the global shipping industry.

The fleet's ships are built to international standards, with some of the largest ships ever built for the Swiss merchant navy. The 'Tzoumaz', 'Diavolezza', and 'Bregaglia' are examples of these massive vessels.

These ships are designed to make full use of the new enlarged locks of the Panama Canal, which was inaugurated this year. The price for these new vessels is around 33 million Swiss or US dollars.

The Swiss merchant fleet is a vital part of the country's economy, providing essential goods and services. It's a remarkable achievement, considering the challenges of being a landlocked country.

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Switzerland has a merchant fleet consisting of 49 ships, making it the biggest among landlocked countries and one of the most modern in the world. The fleet operates worldwide, with a total capacity of one million tons (deadweight tonnage – DWT), corresponding to one pro mille of global tonnage.

The fleet has been crisscrossing international waters since 1941, when World War II escalated, and was commissioned to ensure the country's economic dependence on shipping space was met. The very first ship of the fleet was called Calanda and belonged to the Schweizerische Reederei AG, the former parent company of Panalpina.

The Swiss fleet numbers 49 cargo vessels, but employs a mere half dozen seafarers with a Swiss passport. In 1967, when the Confederation made up the difference between what seafarers earned at sea and what they could earn ashore, there were more than six hundred, including twelve captains.

The fleet is operated by six private shipping companies, all of which are required to have their headquarters in Switzerland. These companies include ABC Maritime AG, Enzian Shipping AG, Massoel Gestion SA, Mega Chemicals Schiffahrt AG, Reederei Zürich AG, and Suisse-Atlantique Société de Navigation Maritime SA.

To celebrate the 75-year anniversary of the fleet, four ships of the fleet are now featured on special stamps. The designer of the stamps is Marco Trüeb, who is also known for his artwork on Panalpina's desk and wall calendars.

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The challenges and decline of the Swiss merchant marine are a sobering reality. Today, the Swiss fleet numbers 50 cargo vessels, a far cry from the industry's heyday.

In 1967, the Confederation made up the difference between what seafarers earned at sea and what they could earn ashore, but even then, there were only 600 seafarers, including 12 captains. The decline is staggering.

The Swiss fleet has come a long way, having sailed in all weathers for 75 years, but it's now employing a mere half dozen seafarers with a Swiss passport.

The Swiss fleet has a rich history, but unfortunately, it's facing a significant challenge with a drastic decline in Swiss seafarers. Today, the fleet employs a mere half dozen seafarers with a Swiss passport.

During World War II, several Swiss ships were bombarded, hit by artillery fire, or struck mines in the Mediterranean. This shows how resilient the Swiss seafarers were back then.

In 1962, the 'Celerina' rescued 76 passengers and crew members of a US military Super Constellation aircraft that had been forced to ditch in the Atlantic. This heroic act is a testament to the bravery of Swiss seafarers.

The number of Swiss seafarers has plummeted from over 600 in 1967 to just a handful today. This decline is a stark contrast to the fleet's heyday.

The Swiss fleet has shrunk from 50 cargo vessels to just 14 in the past six years. This drastic reduction is a concerning trend for the country's maritime industry.

Demobilising the Swiss merchant navy is a costly process. The government has asked parliament to cover outstanding debts of CHF128.7 million.

In 2017, parliament had already approved funds for demobilisation. The process is expected to result in losses of CHF100 million following the sale of 8 more ships from the Massmariner company.